just so we are clear, Greg is my earthly brother. rumor has it we share the same set of parents. there are of course, other, and competing rumors – and innuendo. according to one of my God Mothers, Clare, I was a “ma-tai baby and there were witnesses”. however, it all pales compared to the vale, and in the scheme of most things. Greg was a brilliant High School student and then road Walker Percy relentlessly through University.

NOTE: some of this (that which follows; that which precedes, not at all, as far as we know) is lifted from a recent exchange with Barry Morrow (I like the manner in which he conducts his own pen) in my recent exchange with Greg (not Barry. however, that did lead to some activity like lively email exchanges and invitations to eat hamburgers).

Greg:

I’ve long been a “poser” regarding Walker Percy. When you drop the name people appear alarmed, go bug-eyed, or nod wisely as though we are, together, on to something. But, no one ever pursues (rather like thinking about sex while staring through a windshield driving your in-laws to the airport). Interpretation of his efforts seem to evolve with ones own life perspective. Oddly, perhaps, I equate that with efforts around the Bible. I’m better off listening to other people that can make lots of [better formed] apologies.

A friend of mine, Barry Morrow (he is lovely and tortured), has quoted Percy a lot, and especially from The Moviegoer, in his own first book, Heaven Observed. There are lots of existential questions that run throughout the book, like why a man can feel more at home during a tornado, rather than the typical malaise that enshrouds him when everything is provided to him, at ease in Zion. Very much like Solomon in Ecclesiastes. And, us.

In any event, when I eat a hamburger with Barry I tend to think of you. It’s good (Barry, the burgers, and you).

Much love.

– Brian

on another NOTE... The Movie Goer is much too sublime for Wikipedia and reference. however, it would make for a terrific television series. I would make my daughters watch it with me. anything is better than all things Kardashian. Go figure. No… Go forth! As you might in the Biblical sense.

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so… one of my U14 Girls soccer families includes a son that is stumbling. one of the Mom’s shared with me a few details. the kid is on a run with bad luck. however, those things change. some times its with a will, more often it’s dealing with the loving hands of a higher power.

but, there is much to be said of attitude.

you don’t need to care about the mom’s soulful and heart-breaking words. my message to her follows. I’ll report back with updates as they are realized.

Hey [REDACTED].

A few ranting points for now, with more specific thinking to follow later:

“Failure” is only realized with a lack of trying. This can mean trying at all, or trying your best.

That said, life tracks to evolution. It’s all about trial-and-error. The entire human race has arrived to our current state due to a lot of failure – more failure than success; but, here we all are. [REDACTED] is too young to be a failure. He has not even tasted enough success for a comparative analysis. Any set-back is a tremendous opportunity to learn and get better. That’s not cliche, it is simple fact.

The irony with much of whom we are as a people is our being referred to as, “the human race”. We compete with one another without rhyme or reason.

I’m a parent too. I fall into the same trap you have. We have expectations for our children. They tend to be a bit undefined. Grades, school, love, competition of all types. The standard for measurement is derived from almost unhuman (I’m not writing, “inhuman”, intentionally) standards. That can be Kardashians, the NFL, Stephen Hawkings, the neighbors kid that got lucky with DNA, or a group of kids that just try harder than everyone else.

Sometimes we gotta slow down. Stop racing. Just listen to our heartbeat. Ask the question, “who am I in this moment?”.

I could be flippant and tell you that [REDACTED] profiles like a decent percentage of .com entrepreneurs. However, that will set the wrong tone.

[REDACTED] must first be able to answer some questions to gain both his footing, and his confidence. Those questions might include:

What are you good at?
What do you want to do (the toughest question EVER).
Who needs you?
Why?
What will you do next?

More later.

I’m happy to meet with [REDACTED].

There will never be an easy answer. His lot may end-up being Biblical. But, his best bet is to be the sort of young man that people ask him what makes him, different.

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there exists a walking and waking nightmare. its a perilous path that requires us to be ever vigilant, and ready, willing and able to thumb Satan in his blood-shot pale eyes.

spare me the platitudes and existentialist bull-shit. cancer is not a journey.

Thursday was Joanne’s fourth chemotherapy session, and mid-point for the course. that is always followed by a Nuestra shot to increase her white blood cell count. interestingly, that ends-up being the most painful part of the treatment. listening to her description of the pain, it sounds like what The Wolverine must go through when he deploys his talons and/ or regenerates.

that said, she is tough as Wolverine; any super hero, to be certain.

the good news is that the cancer is evidently not in the lymph-nodes. we caught this bitch early and we responded with pace and a sense of purpose. I recruited, petitioned and secured the best surgical and oncology team in the Southeast. the two masses have apparently responded well to chemotherapy. thusly, her prognosis is good. if we remain on-plan, we have the BIG surgery November 6th. hopefully we are in the recovery and healing phase by mid-December.

me? I am restless. resolute. exhausted. encouraged. relieved that my daughters seem to find comfort in me. I miss my wife. she has already told me nothing is going to be the same. I’ve never loved her more. I can’t ever be more angry at something else, ever again. thank God for modern medicine, and my Jeep – oh… and a sense of purpose to stay fit, and, possibly, sane.

What’s All This About?

You'll also learn things about, well, things, like people you need to know about, and information about companies you can't find anywhere else.

So, while I harangue the public in my not so gentle way, you will discover that I am fascinated by all things arcane, curious about those whom appear religious, love music, dabble in politics, loathe the media, value education, still think I am an athlete, and might offer a recipe.

All the while, striving mightily, and daily, to remain a prudent and optimistic gentleman - and, authentic.